The best hybrid SUVs for every budget

For a fuel-efficient, practical car with a high-set seating position, look no further than a hybrid SUV. Our expert reviews team has put together this list of the best options on sale, for a range of budgets

A hybrid SUV combines the best qualities of an electric car and the peace of mind of a petrol-powered SUV. The toughest ones can venture deep into the wilderness with ease, but they’re not all enormous four-wheel drive beasts. Some are small enough for urban commuting, too.

Our expert reviews team has driven every hybrid SUV on sale, and narrowed down this list of the best ones you can buy for a wide range of budgets; whether you need something small and frugal to get you from A to B or a big, posh barge for the golf club car park.

Up to £25,000

Our recommendation: Dacia Duster hybrid – £21,820

The Carwow Award-winning Dacia Duster hybrid isn’t good for a cheap car – it’s a fantastic car that just so happens to be cheap. It looks far more expensive than it costs, you get loads of room inside, the boot is well-sized and it’s rather good to drive, too.

You’ll have to live with an assortment of hard, scratchy plastics in the cabin, but it’s a small compromise to make in the name of an affordable price tag. The engine can be a bit grumbly when you put your foot down, too, but it quiets down once you settle into a cruise.

If you don’t need a car as big as the Duster, the Citroen C3 is more comfortable and has a slightly plusher cabin, while the MG ZS offers even more remarkable value for money – as it comes better-equipped than the Duster.

£25,000 – £40,000

Our recommendation: Toyota Yaris Cross – £26,495

The Toyota Yaris Cross is one of the smallest, least intimidating hybrid SUVs on sale – and it’s another Carwow Award winner, too. It looks funky with its rounded features and body cladding, and easily achieves over 60mpg in the real world.

You’ll find the interior a bit drab though, as you’re in a sea of charcoal-grey plastics – even if they’re soft-touch and sturdy. It can feel a bit unsettled by bumpy roads, but otherwise the Yaris Cross is easy to drive.

For something much bigger, you can buy a Dacia Bigster hybrid – the Duster’s larger counterpart – for a similar price to the Yaris Cross, while the MG HS is absolutely loaded with standard kit and has an impressive electric-only range.

£40,000 – £60,000

Our recommendation: Hyundai Santa Fe – £47,890

The Hyundai Santa Fe is so good our experts reviews team voted it the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year, thanks to its blend of outrageous styling, immense practicality and efficient hybrid engine. You won’t mistake it for anything else on the road, and you can fit seven adults inside in comfort.

Yet even with its prodigious size, the Santa Fe’s seven-seater alternatives have bigger boots. While it always feels stable and secure on the road, the Santa Fe isn’t very exciting from behind the wheel.

If you want the most comfortable ride possible for your six passengers, the Peugeot 5008 hybrid is worth checking out, while the BMW X3 has a posher cabin, posher badge and it’s more fun to drive.

£60,000 – £80,000

Our recommendation: BMW X5 – £74,280

BMW has the best posh all-rounder on sale in the X5, because there’s no other car that offers quite the same blend of practicality, handsome looks, a luxurious interior and a fun-to-drive nature; almost an XXL hot hatchback.

Though if you spec the largest optional wheels, the X5 begins to feel a bit too stiff and uncomfortable over broken roads, and the hybrid’s boot is far smaller than in regular X5 models.

For something with more off-road ability at the expense of on-road sportiness, the Land Rover Defender 110 hybrid will conquer almost any rough terrain you point it towards. The Audi Q7 makes for an equally stylish SUV, but it feels a bit long in the tooth, by comparison.

£80,000+

Our recommendation: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid – £86,300

Porsche might be famed for its 911 coupe, but the sports car maker actually makes one of the best high-riding cars on sale in the Cayenne. Elegant, rounded styling, a posh interior and the ability to leave a BMW X5 in its dust create a very desirable package.

However, it isn’t as comfortable as its alternatives, and it’s far more expensive than other posh SUVs, without being much more luxurious – until you tick your way through the options list.

For real luxurious off-roading, point your wallet towards the Range Rover PHEV, or if you’re feeling extra flush, the Bentley Bentayga PHEV is about as decadent an SUV as you can get, these days.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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